Tube beading and flaring machine



pri 5, 19 E. c. HARTLEY ETAL TUBE BEADING AND FLARING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l www April 5, 194 I E. c. HARTLEY ETAL 2,465,422

TUBE BEADING AND FLARING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ig/ M April 1949- E. c. HARTLEY EI'AL TUBE BEADING AND FLARING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 22, 1943 April 1949- E. c. HARTLEY ETAL 2,466,422

TUBE BEADING AND FLARING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 5, 1949 l v UNITED sures PATENT OFFICE roar: nnannvolmn FLanmoMaomNn Emmett c. Hartley and Henry E. Hull, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to The Parker Appliance Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 22, 1943, Serial No. 495,740 .13 Claims. (01. 153-2) The invention relates generally to the art of metal bending and primarily seeks to provide a novel. simple and compact machine capable of eiilciently beading or flaring tubes with equal facility.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in providing a novel machine structure of the character stated in which is included a rotor, a shiitably mounted bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the Mor, tube holding means, means for bringing about relative movement between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in the tube, means normally holding the tool approximately centered with respect to the tube, means for rotating the rotor, and means for shitting the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working the tube.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in which the shiftable arm is equi ped with a novel mounting in which selected tools of a selective multiple set of beading and flaring tools are readily detachably mounted. H

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in which the tube holding means includes a die block equipment which is reversibly mounted and has a first selective form surface at one end against which tube wall portions are forced ior beading purposes. and asecond selective form surface at its other end against which tube wall portions are forced for flaring purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine oi the character stated in which the die block equipment is composed of half dies each carried by a shiitable arm, and in which there is included means for separating the arms by movement of separation imparted to both arms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in which the die block halves have half circular rubber gripper sleeves projecting a distance inwardly from the tube opposing faces oi the blocks thereby to tightly grip a tube between them while permitting the block halves to directly contact one with the other.

Another object of the invention" is to provide a machine of the character stated in which there is included a rotor housing on which the tube holding means is mounted, means for shifting the housing longitudinally with relation to the rotor and the tool carrying arm for properly positioning the selected tool relative to the die block equipment. and means for securing the housing in adjusted positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in which the arm shitting means comprises a cam movable longitudinally with respect to the rotor, a lever equipment for moving the cam. and adjustable means for limiting movement of the lever equipment.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the inven-- tion will be more fully understood by following the detailed description,- the claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical central longitudinal section of a machine embodying the invention, the section being taken on the line l --l on Figure 4 and parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the removable base cover.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-4 on Figure 1. through the axis 01' the rotor.

Figure 4 is a right hand end elevation.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end elevation. illustrating the rotor and the tool carrying arm mounted thereon.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross section illustrating the collar shitting arms.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary end elevation il lustrating the die carryin arms swungto the open or separated position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section illustrating a flaring tool as supported on the tool carrying arm and rotor and engaged in the end of a clamped tube preparatory to a flaring operation.

Figure 9"is a view similar to Figure 5, the tool carrying lever being shown as moved against the limiting stop which limits the degree of offcenter position of the tool.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line i0l0 on Figure 9.

In the improved machine structure herein disclosed as an example of embodiment of the invention there is included a. base 5 having an upstanding bearing 6 in which a long bearing sleeve 1 is horizontally disposed in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. The bearing sleeve I is secured in the supporting bearing 6 by a dowel 8 which is held in place by a cross bridge 9 forming a. part of a base cover or protective shell [0 which is removably secured as at Ii in the upstanding bearing 6 in the manner best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The base 8-is provided with a central longitudinal depression l2 which serves to provide the base with longitudinallyextending sheli portions whereon are provided supporting guideways II. The guideways l4 serve-as slide supports for the mounting bosses I! which extend laterally from the housing body it. The bosses I! are provided with vertically disposed longitudinal slots l1, and

clamping screws IO ways id for securely clamping the housing in positions of longitudinal adjustment on said guideways. The structure of the housing II. to will be best understood by reference to Figures 1, 3 and4 of the drawings from which it will be observed that a rack is is secured to the bottom of the housing and is engaged by an adjuster pinion 2U fixed on one end of an adjuster shaft 2| which is transversely disposed and rotatably mounted in a frame bearing 12. Through the medium of theknurled turning head 23 fixed to the outer end of the adjuster shaft it said shaft may be rotated for imparting longitudinal movement of adjustment to the housing.

a shaft 24 is rotatabiy mounted in the hearing sleeve '1 and extends at both ends from said sleeve. At its front end the shaft is provided with an abutment head 25, and a cylindrical rotor 26 is keyed on the shaft as shown at 21 and between the abutment head 25 and the adjacent end of the long sleeve hearing I. It will be observed by reference to Figure 1 and 3 of the drawings that the front end of the sleeve 1 extends a distance into the rear end of the rotor I as at 28 and cooperates with the abutment head 25 in holding the rotor against longitudinal movement relative to theshaft 24.

The other or rear end of the shaft 24 is coupled as at I! with'a driving motor 30 mounted on the lliase in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure The rotor 28 is freely rotatable. within a cylindrical bore II in the housing body it. as will be apparent by reference to Figures 1 and 8 of the A collar 32 is longitudinallyslidabiy mounted on the. sleeve 1 between the upstanding bearing i and therear end of the rotor 20. A pair of shifter rollers 33 extendinto the collar groove in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1,3 and 6, and each said roller is carried at' the 'upperfend of an arm" which is secured to across shaft .85 rockably mounted as at 8| on the base 5. An actuator lever 81 is secured to'the outerend of the shaft 35. and said lever is eng seable' with an adjustable stop screw equipment {8 which is vertically-adjustably mounted ina threaded bore provided in the base how 8!. The position of the stop screw 88 determines the degreeto which the lever can be depressed for the p rpose of shifting the collar 32 to the rig t as' viewed in Figures 1 and 8, and adjustments of the stop screw." can be secured by the jamnut forming a part of the stop screw equipment. The collar I is normally held in the retracted position illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 by the spring means 40.

A moimting lug 4i extends forwardly from the central lower portion of the housing body II, and two freelyi disposed holder arms 42 are pivoted at their lower ends seat 43 on said lug in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 40f thedrawings. Eacharmhasareoessltinthe d downwardly said slots and into receiving taps in the guideso as to tightly grip a tube clamped between the. die blocks and yet permit the opposed edge portions of the half circular die blocks 45 to contact in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 4 and present a continuous flaring or beading function backing surface.

Each of the upstanding arms 42 is bifurcated at its upper end, and one has a link I2 pivoted thereto as at 53, said link having two downwardly turned end portions. and the other has a link 54 pivoted thereto as at 55, said last named link I having the end thereof which is pivoted to the arm upwardly turned and its other end straight. The inner ends of the links 82 and 54 are respectively pivoted as at 56 at like distances from the axis of and between the longitudinally spaced heads I! mounted on a shaft 58 which is rockably mounted in a longitudinal bearing It provided therefor on the housing'body It in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. An irregularly shaped connector piece 80 is interposed between the heads l1, and said heads connect with or are extended in the form of a toggle actuator handle I. I

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 1, 4 and 'l of the drawings that when the handle 61 is disposed in the position illustrated in Figure 4 the links 52 and 54 will be drawn together to securely toggle lock the arms 42 together with the rubber inserts 5i securely clamping a tube therebetween and the half circular die blocks 4! contacting in the manner hereinbefore referred to. one link 54 underlying the irregular inner face-thereof in-which a half circular-die.

block 4| is' removably secured by screw means ll. Arcuate angle plates 41 also are removably secured as at vllto the front faces of the arms in position fonoverlying theends of the mounted die blocks 'soasto take up end thrust on said blocks. The die blocks 4! are reversibly mounted, and each-is provided with a flare portion 0 at one end and a beading groove ill at its inner face adjacent the opposite end. The respective connectorpiece BI and the other link 52 overlying the same. When'the lever is swung from the position illustrated in Figure 4 to the position illustrated inFigure 7 the links 52 and 54 will be forced apart and movement of separation will be imparted to both arms 42 for separating them in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 7 and providing-for removal of the worked tube with great facility.

A hollow, U-shaped housing 62 is secured as at I in a receiving recess 64 provided in the front end of the rotor 28. Within the housing .2 a tool carrying lever 65 is swingably mounted on a pivot pin 88 secured to the housing 82 and extending into a socket 6'! provided therefor in the rotor 28. See Figures 1, 3 and 5. The lever 66 is provided with a center boss or-bearing 68 having an axial bore equipped with needl e bearings es and closed at its rear end by a closure plate II. The lever bore is designed to removably receive th shank ll of a tube working tool havingabeadinghead12asinFiguresl,3and4. oraflaringheadllasinFigureB.

Each of the selective tool shanks H is provided with an annular keeper groove I4 adapted to receive a retainer detent I! which is guided in a bore It formed in the lever boss or bearing I, a compression spring ll serving the two-fold purpose of yieldably urging the detent into tool securing engagement in the. shank groove 14 and for holding the arm in its normal or inactive position illustrated in Figures 1 and in which positiontheselectedtoolwlllbedlsposedinco-.

. axial relation with the 'shaft 24;

, The lever It is provided with an angularly disposed extension leg is at the outer end of which is mounted a roller 19 which normally engages a can face to on a plunger ti in the manner iilustrated in Figure 3 for cooperating with the spring l1 in normally holding the tool centered as hreinbe'fore' described. The plunger projects forwardly from the shifter collar 32 and through a bore 82 provided therefor in the rotor 26. The sonar :2 also is provided with a guide pin a; which is slidably guided in a bore 84 in said rotor. It will be apparent that whenever the plunger 81 is moved forwardly by forward shifting of the collar 82, engagement of the cam face 80 with the roller I9 will serve to displace the lever 65 and ause the heading head 12 or the flaring. head 13 to move on! center and work the clamped tube either into the beading groove 58 or against the flare "of the die block equipment 45, depending upon the position of said equipment and the selection of tool. The lever 65 is provided with another extension 85 which is engageabie with a limiting stop 86 provided in the housing 62 for the purpose of limiting the degreeof of! center movement that can be imparted to the beading or flaring tool.

In operating the machine for effecting a beading'operation, the housing body it is first adjusted with respect to the base 5 and secured in proper position on said base. by manipulation of the clamping screws it so that the beading head I2 is disposed directly opposite the groove 50 in the, die block equipment The tube T which is to be beaded is securely clamped between the die block halves by moving the arms '42 from the position illustrated in Figure" 7 tothe position shaft 24 and the tool carrying arm 65, I8, 85 is carried by said rotor. It has been described also that the beading tool ll, I2 normally is disposed with its center aligned with the axis of the shaft and rotor.

when it is desired to bead the tube, the actuating lever 31 is depressed and the arms 34 are moved to slide the collar 32 forwardly over the bearing sleeve 1 and toward the rotor 26. The camming surface 80 on the pin 8i causes the roller 19 to move inwardly and force the beading head 12 against the internal surface of the tube T so as to bend the tube wall into the beading groove 50 and form the desired bead. When the beading operation has been completed the actuating lever 3'l'is released and the collar 32 is returned to the normal position illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 by action of the springs 40. This movement of the collar 32 retracts the cam surface 80. and the tool carrying arm 65' is returned to its normal, tool centered position by action of the spring I 1. By now swinging the toggle lever 6| from the position illustrated in Figure 4 to the position illustrated in Figure '7, movement of separation will be imparted to both arms 42 to move them to the position illustrated in Figure 7. Thus the beaded tube can be withdrawn with great facility.

when it is desired to flare the end of the tube. a flaring tool 13 is substituted for the beading tool 12, and the die block equipment 45 is reversed so as to present the flare surface I! thereof in opposition to the tool instead of the beading groove 50. After the housing body It has been adjusted in the manner hereinbefore de- Gil tails of structure and the arrangement of paths may bevariousi and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. a I

We claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a

rotor, a tube bending tool supporting arm swingably mounted on saidrotor. tube holding means. eans $i n'norti'ng said tube holding means adio cent said am, means for; bringing about relative movement between the holding means 'and the arm topresent the tool in a tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for nor-many holding the tool slip port'ed thereon in 'a position for entering the tube. means for rotating the rotor, means movable with the rotor and engageable with the arm for shifting the-arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working said tube, a U-shaped housing mounted on said rotor and partly housing said swingably mounted arm. and means on said u shaped housing engageable by said for limiting swinging movement ofsaid swingably mounted arm.

2. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a rotor, a tool supporting'jarm' shiftaibly mounted on said rotor and having 'a-tool shank receiving socket therein, a tool having a shank mounttable in said armjsoc'ketand havinga-recess therein, a retainer detent mounted on the "rotor and engageable in the tool shank recess, and'a single spring means constantly tendingtohold 40 the arm in a predetermined positionon said rotor and yieldably holding said detent in said shank recess.

3. Ina machine of the character described, a rotor, a shiftably mounted tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor, tube holding means, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said am. means for bringing about relative movement between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in a tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, and means for shifting the arm to force the tool outwardl against the tube while the rotor is turnin for working said tube, said arm being equipped with a receiving socket for removably mounting a selected one of difierent types of tube bendin tools such as a tube header or flarer, and said tube holding means including a die block equipment for embracing the tube and having a flare form surface at one end and a bead form surface at its other end, said die 'block equipment being reversibly mounted so that one or the other of said ends can be presented for cooperation with the selected tool.

4. In a machine of the character described. a rotor. a shiftably mounted tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor. tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, means for shifting the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working said tube. a base, a housing shiftably mounted on the base and surrounding the rotor and providing a support for the tube holding means and in such position that a tube held by said holding means may be accurately placed by end abutment against the tool supporting arm rotatable withsald rotor, and means for holding the rotor against longitudinal movement relative to said base, said means for bringing about relative movement comprising a rack on said housing, a shaft, a bearing for said shaft fixed on the base, and a pinion on said shaft and meshing with said rack, and means for securing the housing in positions of adjustment on said base.

5. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, a tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor and swingably mounted for swinging movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotor, tube holding means, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm, means for bringing about relative movement between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in a tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, means for swinging the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working said tube. a pair of cooperatively opposing shiftable carrier arms, said holding means comprising a pair of matching half dies each carried by one of said carrier arm, and means for separating the half die carrying arms by movement of separation imparted to both said carrying arms.

6. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, a tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor and swingably mounted for v swinging movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotor, tube holding means, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm, means for bringing about relative movement between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in a tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, and means for 8 I D against the tube while the rotor'is turning for working said tube. said arm being equipped with a receiving socket for removably mounting a selected. one or different types of tube bending tools such as a tube header or flarer, and said holding means comprising a pair of matching metallic half dies each having a flare form surface at one end and ahead form surface at its other end, said die block equipment being reversibly mounted so that one or the other of said ends can be presented for cooperation with the selected tool, and each said half die having a half circular rubber gripper sleeve projecting a limited distance inwardly from the tube opposing face of the die between the flare and bead form surfaces thereon, thereby permitting the half dies to firm-- ly rip a tube between them with deformation of the rubber gripper sleeve permitting "the block halves to directly contact one with the other and form circular metal die surfaces without break in said flare and bead form continuities.

.8. In a machine of the character described, a. rotor, a tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor and swingably mounted for swinging movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotor, tube holding-means, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm, means for bringing about relative movement. between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in a tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, means for swinging the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working saidtube, said arm being equipped with a receiving antifriction bearing for removably and freely rotatably mounting a selected one of different types of tube 40 bending tools such as a tube beader or flarer, and

swinging the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working said tube, said holding means comprising a pair of matching metallic half dies each having a half circular rubber gripper sleeve projecting a limited distance inwardly from the tube opposing face of the die, thereby permitting the half dies to firmly grip a tube between them with deformation of the rubber gripper sleeve permitting the block halves to directly contact one with the other and form circular metal die surfaces.

'1. In a machine of the character described, a

. rotor, a shiftably mounted tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor, tube holding means, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm, means for bringin about relative movement between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in a tube held-by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, means for shifting the arm to force the tool outwardly spring detent means for yieldably retaining the selected tool in said bearing.

9. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, a tube bending tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor and swingably mounted for swinging movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotor. tube holding means. means supporting said tube holdin means adjacent said arm, means for bringing about relative movement between the holding means and the arm to present the tool in a tube held by said tube holding means, means engaging said arm in a manner for normally holding the tool'supported thereon in a position for entering the tube, means for rotating the rotor, and means for swinging the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube while the rotor is turning for working said tube. said holding means including matching half dies, two shiftable arms each carrying a half die and both pivotally mounted on a single pivot, and lever and toggle link means movable in one direction for separating the half die carrying arms by movement of separation imparted to both said carrying arms and movable in the opposite direction for bringing the half dies together and locking them together.

10. In a tube beadingv machine, a rotor, a swingably mounted tube beading tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor, tube holding means having a beading clearance therein. means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm and in position so that a tube inserted in the holding means is directly engageable with said swingably mounted arm as a stop definitely P1acfor beading said tube a predetermined distance from the arm engaging end thereof, means normally holding the arm with the tool approximate- 1y centered on the tube and rotor axes, means for rotating the rotor, and means for swinging the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube opposite said beading clearance While the rotor is turning for beading said tube.

11. In a tube beading machine, a rotor, a shiftably mounted tube beading tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor, tube holding means having a beading clearance therein, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm and in position so that a tube inserted in the ho di g means is cngageable with said arm as a stop definitely placing the tool a predetermined distance in the tube for beading said tube a predetermined distance from the arm engaging end thereof, means normally holding the arm with the tool approximately centered on the tube and rotor axes, means for rotating the rotor, and means for shifting the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube opposite said beading clearance while the rotor is turning for beading said tube, said arm being swingably mounted on the rotor and having a roller directly mounted thereon in spaced relation to the swing center of the arm, and said shifting means including a plunger longitudinally slidable in a bore in the rotor paralleling the rotor axis and having a cam surface at an end thereof engaging the arm roller, and means manually operable for moving said plunger.

12. In a tube beading machine, a rotor, a shiftably mounted tube beading tool supported arm rotatable with the rotor, tube holding means having a beading clearance therein, means support ing said tube holding means adjacent said arm and in position so that a tube inserted in the holding means is engageable with said arm as a stop definitely placing the tool a predetermined distance in the tube for beading said tube a predetermined distance from the arm engaging end thereof, means normally holding the arm with the tool approximately centered on the tube and rotor axes, means for rotating the rotor, means for shifting the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube opposite said beadin clearance while the rotor is turning for beading said tube, said arm being swingably mounted on the rotor and having a roller directly mounted thereon in spaced relation to the swing center of the arm, said shifting means including a plunger longitudinally slida'ble in a bore in the rotor paralleling the rotor axis and having a cam surface at an end thereof engaging the arm roller, a collar slidable along the axis of the rotor and 10 attached to said plunger, means including a man ually swingable lever for shifting the collar, and adjustable stop means for limiting swinging of the lever in a direction for forcing the tool against the tube.

13. In a tube beading machine, a rotor, a shiftably mounted tube beading tool supporting arm rotatable with the rotor, tube holding means having a beading clearance therein, means supporting said tube holding means adjacent said arm and in position so that a tube inserted in the holding means is engageable with said arm as a stop definitely placing the tool a predetermined distance in the tube for beading said tube a predetermined distance from the arm engaging end thereof, means normally holding the arm with the tool approximately centered on the tube and rotor axes, means for rotating the rotor, means for shifting the arm to force the tool outwardly against the tube opposite said beading clearance while the rotor is turning for beading said tube, means for adjusting the spaced relation of said arm and said holding means for varying said predetermined distance of the tube beading, and means for replaceabl mounting beading tools on said arm.

EMME'I'I' C. HARTLEY. HENRY E. HULL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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